As we come to our devotional reading today we will look at eight different chapters in Genesis. Remember, I am not going to look in detail at each of the chapters but only those passages that have a prophetic significance.

The reading for today isGenesis 45, which is basically the end to the story of Jacob’s son Joseph and how Joseph played a key role in the life of his father and his eleven brothers. I’ll have more details onGenesis 45in a moment.

In Genesis 38there is a parenthesis in the narrative of Joseph with an account of the “shame of Jacob”. Genesis 39gets us back on track with the story of Joseph and this son of Jacob being brought into Egypt.

Joseph is selected by the Pharaoh of Egypt to serve him. However, the wife of the Pharaoh tries to tempt Joseph, which was rejected by Jacob’s son,verse 8. InGenesis 41, after following the narrative throughGenesis 40, the Pharaoh sets Joseph over all of Egypt,verse 41.

As you readGenesis 42, 43 and 44you see how the Lord was working in the life of Joseph, and how he would actually be used of the Lord to protect his brothers from death and continue the line of Jacob to the ultimate end of the line which is the Jewish people of today.

Notice several verses inchapter 45. Joseph said that God sent him before his brothers to “preserve life”,verses 5 and 7. Verse 8tells how Joseph had been sent into Egypt, by God’s design, not by the mistreatment of his brothers. God had a plan for Jacob’s family that He was directing.

God has a plan for all of us who know Him as Lord and Saviour. We must study to determine what that plan might be, and then move forward as He directs. The Lord’s plan for the end times is found in the prophetic passages of scripture.

These are passages that we can study everyday to determine where we are in His timeline. My study seems to indicate that we are ever so close to the Rapture, when He will call us to be with Him forever more. In fact, it could happen today.

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for your prophetic passages that alert each of us to your plan for the future and how close we are to the next event, the Rapture. Help me to be ready for the Rapture, in my daily living.